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Sinningia (gloxinia)
Name - Pronounced sin-NING-ee-a. Its name is taken from Wilhem Sinning,
a German botanist who did much of the work in hybridising the plant in the early
1900s. It is more popularly known as gloxinia.
Description - Large,
velvety, trumpet-shaped flowers with either ruffled or plain edges and a cluster
of large felted leaves at the base of the stems. The blooms can be 3 inches or
more in diameter and can remain in flower for up to 2 months.
Origin
- South and Central America
Colour - White, pink, salmon orange,
red, blue and violet.
Family - Gesneriaceae
Varieties
- Gloxinias have some of the richest and most varied types of flower. There are
about 40-50 different species and all, except for a few, have tubular flowers.
Most of its varieties are crossed hybrids between Sinningia speciosa and Sinningia
regina and there are double as well as single flowered hybrids. New hybrids like
Sinnigia pafuflora has scented lilac flowers and there are also miniature cultivars
such as the tiny Sinningia pusilla with lilac-pink flowers that are less than
18mm/¾ inch.
Care Tips - Warm, humid and bright light and
frequent watering. Water from the bottom and don't mist either the flowers or
leaves. Feed every fortnight during the flowering season. They can be kept for
growing again the next season.
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